But they held their peace, and answered him not a
word
The three ministers of Hezekiah; not as confounded, and unable to
return an answer: they were capable of saying many things in
proof that the Lord God was greater than the gods of the nations,
and in favour of their king, Hezekiah, whom he had treated in a
scurrilous manner; and could have objected to him the king of
Assyria's breach of faith and honour, but these things they
waved, and said nothing of; no doubt they said something to him,
had some conference with him, or otherwise what were they sent as
commissioners about? but they made no answer to his blasphemies
and menaces: for the king's commandment was, saying, answer
him not:
with respect to the above things; when he sent them, he might be
aware that he would behave in such a rude, insolent, and
blaspheming manner, and therefore the king gave them instructions
how to conduct themselves, should this be the case. Musculus
thinks the king was on the wall, and heard all himself, and gave
orders to his ministers to make no reply; but this does not seem
likely; what is here said of the ministers is also said of the
people, ( 2 Kings
18:36 ) .
Isaiah 36:21
